Abstract
Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS), prepared from depolymerised alginate, a natural polysaccharide occurring in the cell walls of brown algae, provides beneficial effects for intestinal health. However, the underlying mechanisms by which AOS supplementation maintains the intestinal integrity of weaned pigs remain obscure. Here, we aimed to determine how AOS modulates the intestinal integrity of weaned pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were assigned to two treatments: a control group (basal diet) and an AOS group (the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg kg−1 AOS). On day 15, eight pigs per treatment were randomly selected and sacrificed for serum and intestinal samples. We observed that AOS supplementation enhanced the intestinal integrity, as evidenced by the increased (P < 0.05) intestinal occludin protein abundance. Compared to the control group, AOS ingestion both elevated (P < 0.05) the jejunal and ileal catalase activity and decreased (P < 0.05) the duodenal and jejunal tumour necrosis factor-α concentration and mast cell tryptase expression. Furthermore, AOS down-regulated (P < 0.05) the duodenal toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its down-stream signals, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) mRNA levels, as well as jejunal nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein 1 (NOD1) and its adaptor molecule, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2), mRNA levels. Additionally, phospho-nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB) p65 protein abundance in the duodenum and jejunum was down-regulated (P < 0.05) following AOS supplementation. According to the above results, the enhanced intestinal integrity in AOS-supplemented pigs appears to be associated with the elevated antioxidant capacity and the reduced mast cell degranulation, as well as the inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines production via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB and NOD1/NF-κB signalling pathways.
Highlights
The intestinal barrier is a single layer of cells lining the gut that mainly consists of enterocyte membranes and tight junctions between enterocytes, and its integrity is essential for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, both in humans and animals.[1,2,3] many factors, such as weaning, can induce impairment in the intestinal barrier integrity of piglets.[4,5,6] Mast cell in ammatory mediator release plays a major role in the intestinal barrier disruption during the post-weaning period.[7,8] controlling the intestinal mast cell in ammatory mediators release may have bene ts in alleviating weaning-induced intestinal barrier damage in piglets
We observed that Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) up-regulated the occludin protein abundance in the duodenum and jejunum, indicating that AOS could enhance the intestinal integrity of weaned pigs
We found that AOS supplementation decreased the mast cell counts in the duodenum and jejunum
Summary
The intestinal barrier is a single layer of cells lining the gut that mainly consists of enterocyte membranes and tight junctions between enterocytes, and its integrity is essential for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, both in humans and animals.[1,2,3] many factors, such as weaning, can induce impairment in the intestinal barrier integrity of piglets.[4,5,6] Mast cell in ammatory mediator release (e.g., proteases, histamine and cytokines) plays a major role in the intestinal barrier disruption during the post-weaning period.[7,8] controlling the intestinal mast cell in ammatory mediators release may have bene ts in alleviating weaning-induced intestinal barrier damage in piglets. In support of these properties, AOS could have applications in the food industry, as a functional dietary supplement for both humans
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
